The Durkheimian Relationship between the Division of Labor and Population: Cross-National Historical Evidence

Abstract

Abstract The broad objective of the research reported here is to investigate among nations the relationship between population size and the division of labor in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Drawing upon the work of Durkheim and recent empirical studies, we argue that growth of cities, advanced levels of transportation and communication technology, and large population size should directly covary with the level of division of labor. An empirical test was done using samples of nations with data gathered from published censuses. Urbanization and transportation/communication technology are strongly associated with the division of labor. Contrary to expectations, the size of a nation has no association with its division of labor. A longitudinal analysis uncovers no strong relationship between population size and changes in the division of labor. We interpret these findings as providing mixed support for a modified Durkheimian model of the relationship between population and division of labor.